Extensible panel structure

ABSTRACT

The extensible panel structure includes a plurality of planar panels having oppositely extending boxlike vertical end rib members and a generally Z-shaped configuration. The panels are positioned in parallel relation to each other and each has a support member secured in the boxlike end rib members. The support members in the end rib members of the respective panels have a spacer member abutting the adjacent panel and have a depending leg arranged to be positioned on a rail member. The other support member has a similar depending leg member that is positioned on a parallel spaced rail member and an upwardly extending slot portion in which the adjacent panel structure is positioned to maintain the adjacent panels in spaced relation to each other. Suitable spring members are secured to the support members to serve as resilient bumpers between adjacent panels when the panels are in a closed or overlapped position.

United States Patent Goldner 1 Feb. 15,1972

[541 EXTENSIBLE PANEL STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: Richard Goldner, 1912 Washington Plaza, 1420 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 [22] Filed: 0ct.23, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 83,441

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 690,749 l/1902 Mathews 160/ 197 2,021,290 11/1935 Chambers... 49/125 3,144,847 8/1964 Valisalmi ..49/125 X FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 681,459 3/1964 Canada ..160/197 496,148 1 H1938 Great Britain ..49/ l 25 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney-Stanley J. Price, Jr.

[ ABSTRACT The extensible panel structure includes a plurality of planar panels having oppositely extending boxlike vertical end rib members and a generally Z-shaped configuration. The panels are positioned in parallel relation to each other and each has a support member secured in the boxlike end rib members. The support members in the end rib members of the respective panels have a spacer member abutting the adjacent panel and have a depending leg arranged to be positioned on a rail member. The other support member has a similar depending leg member that is positioned on a parallel spaced rail member and an upwardly extending slot portion in which the adjacent panel structure is positioned to maintain the adjacent panels in spaced relation to each other. Suitable spring members are secured to the support members to serve as resilient bumpers between adjacent panels when the panels are in a closed or overlapped position.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDRB 15 I972 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR R1 chard fipldn er HIS ATTORNEY EXTENSIBLE PANEL STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an extensible panel structure and more particularly to an extensible panel structure supported from a pair of spaced rail members.

2. Description of the Prior Art 7 Extensible panel structures in the past, as is illustrated in AustralianPat. No. 496,148, include both upper and lower SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an extensible panel structure that has a plurality of panels supported from a pair of spaced rail members. The panels of the extensible panel structure in the collapsed position are in overlying parallel relation similar to a pack of cards. The panel structure comprises one or more panel members with a planar panel portion and oppositely extending boxlike longitudinal end portions. Support members I having a generally rectangular base portion are secured in the oppositely extending boxlike end portions. One of the support members has a depending end that is positioned on one of the upstanding rail members for slidable movement thereon. The support member has an outwardly extending protuberance that is arranged to abut the adjacent panel planar portion and maintain the panels in spaced parallel relation to each other. The other support'member has an oppositely extending end por on with a depending leg member arranged to be positioned on a second spaced parallel rail member. The other support member has a spaced vertical slot therein, which is positioned in overlying relation with the adjacent panel to maintain the panels in spaced parallel relation to each other. Suitable resilientmeans are provided between the support members to space the panel members in a collapsed position.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide an extensible panel structure which does not require railtype supports or guides at opposite ends thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extensible panel structure that is relatively simple to fabricate and install, and provides the desired rigidity in an extended position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extensible panel structure that is intrinsically self-guiding, remaining in parallel relation both in an extended and collapsed position.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of my improved extensible panel structure supported on a pair of horizontal parallel rails and in a collapsed position.

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the line II--II of FIG. 1, illustrating the extensible panel structure supported from the upper rails.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the panel structure in an extended position.

FIG. 4 is a view in verticalsection taken along the line lV IV of FIG. 1 illustrating the parallelism between the respective panels.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the support members for one end of the panels.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the other support'member for the other end ofthe panels.

- 7 there is illustrated my improved extensible panel structure with the support members removed and illustrating the boxlike rib end portions with the longitudinal slots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4,

generally designated by the numeral 10 that includes a plurality of panels 12, 14, l6, 18, 20 and 22. The panels 12-22 are substantially the same construction and maybe fabricated from prefinished steel or aluminum'or may be fabricated from aluminum or plastic extrusions. Where desired, a composite type panel may be formed that includes a flat web material such as plyboard, fiber glass or glass, or other materials with extrudedrib sections for the longitudinal panel edges. Also the panel members 12-22 may be fabricated of different materials so that in an extended position, several of the panels may be transparent with the remaining panels opaque.

It should be understood, although the specification is directed to a hanging panel structure useful as a partition or room divider, that the same panel structure may be used as a pullup blind or the like supported in a vertical guide rail. The hereinafter described extensible panel structure is operable in all directions, that is, sideward, vertical or horizontal, to provide the desired closure in an extended position and the desired opening in the collapsed position.

' The panels 12-22 have substantially the same configuration and panel 22 will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the remaining panels have substantially the same configurationand similar numerals indicate similar parts. The panel 22 has a planar body portion 24 with a pair of rectangular boxlike vertical end portions 26 and 28 (see FIG. 7). The boxlike vertical endportions 26 and 28 extend in opposite directions and form a Z-shaped panel with riblike end portions. The riblike end portions provide rigidity for the panels and further provide a means to secure the supporting members generally designated by the numerals 30 and 32 therein. The boxlike end portions 26 and 28 preferably have longitudinal .slots 34 and 36 therein that extend throughout the length of the riblike portions 26 and 28. It should be understood, however, that the vertical slot 34 may, where desired, extend a limited distance from the upper edge portion 38 of the panel to providean opening for the spacer member later described and the longitudinal slot 36 may be omitted in the panel member. Although the ribmembers 26 and 28 are illustrated as having a generally rectangular boxlike configuration, other'configurations that provide a receiver opening for the support members are also suitable. I

The support member generally designated by the numeral 30 is secured within the boxlike rib'member 28 and the sup port member 32 is secured in the oppositely extending boxlike rib member 26. The support members 30 and 32 may be fabricated of any suitable material, as for example, plastic materials'such as Delrin or Nylon. Preferably, the support members are formed by injection molding or the like.

The support member 32'has a generally rectangular boxlike body portion designated by the numeral 40 with a pair of sidewalls 42 and 44, a rear wall 46 and a front wall 48. A generally rectangular protuberance 50 extends rearwardly from the rear wall 46 and functions when assembled in the 1 panel rib member 26 as a spacer between adjacent panels. A wedge-type protuberance 52 extends forwardly from the front wall 48 and serves to frictionally engage and secure the sup port member body portion 40 within the rectangular rib 26. A vertical rib 54 provides rigidity for the boxlike body portion 40. The body portion sidewalls '42 and 44 have forwardly extending top portions 56 and 58 which terminate in another front wall 60. The sidewall portions 56 and 58 have generally rectangular recessed portions 62 thereinforming a transverse slot 62 with a depending leg 64'that isarranged to be-positioned in the rail portions, as later described. The support boxlike rib 26 in abutting relation with the sidewalls of the rib. The spacer protuberance 50 extends outwardly through the slot 34 beyond the planar body portion of the panel. The support member is inserted in the rectangular rib member 26 with the lower edges of the sidewall extensions 56 and 58 abutting therupper edge of the rib member 26 opposite the slot 34.

The support member 30 also has a boxlike body portion generally designated by the numeral70 with sidewalls 72 and 74, a rear end wall 76 and a frontend wall 78. The front end wall 78 has a wedge-like protuberance 80 that frictionally engages the support member 30 within the rectangular rib member 28. The side wallsv 72 and 74 have rearwardly extending portions 82 and 84 that terminate in a rear wall portion 86. Vertical rib members 88, 90, 92 and 94 rigidify the box-like support member 30. The rear wall portion 86 has a depending end portion or finger 96 and a second depending finger 98 is positioned in parallel spaced relation thereto to form in conjuction with the end wall 76 a pair of spaced slots 100 and 102 with the'finger 98 therebetweenThe slotted portion 100 is arranged to slidably receive the adjacent parallel panel body portion therein and the slot 102 receives the unturned end portion of the rib 28 so that the depending finger 98 serves as a spacer between the adjacent panels and provides rigidity for the-extensible panel structure. The side walls 72 and 74 have forwardly extending portions 104 and 106 that terminate in a vertical wall 108. The side wall portions 104 and 106 have recessed portions 110 therein with a depending leg 112 that is positionedin an upturned rail portion later described. Resilient spring members 114 are secured to the side walls 72 and 74 9f supportrnember 30 and to the side walls 42 and 44 of support member 32 to provide a resilient bumper type s pacer' between the adjacent ribs of the respective panels.

As illustrated in Figures 1-4, there is provided an elongated overhead support member generally designated by the numeral 116 that has a body or web portion 118 with a pill of depending side walls 120 and 124. The side walls 120 and 122 have inwardly extending intermediate portions 126 and 128 with upturned end portions 130 and 132. The upturned end portions 130 and 132 with the sidewalls 120 and 124 form rail surfaces 134 and 136 on the upper surfaces of the inturned portions 126 and 128. The depending legs 112 on support member 30 are positionedon the rail surface 134 and upturned portion 130 extends into the slot 110 of support member 30. Similarly, the depending leg 64' is positioned on the rail surface 136 and the support member 32. With this arrangement, the support members 30 and 32 are relatively rigidly positioned on the top track member 116 and are slidable therein. The support member 116 may be extruded or roll formed and suitable. secured to the ceiling for a hanging extensible panel member or secured to a sidewall for a vertical PlIJJtIPJlQLTTiZQE The above extensible panel structure 10 is assembled by positioning the support member 32 within thevopening in the boxlike rib portion 26 of the panel with the protuberance extending outwardly through the slotted portion 34. The support member 30 is positioned in the boxlike rib member 28 and frictionally engaged therein with the inturned portion of the boxlike member positioned in the slot 102 of the support member 30.

The assembled panel is then positioned with the support member depending legs 64 and 112 on the respective rail surfaces 134 and 136 and is slidable longitudinally on the rail surfaces. The next panel is similarly assembled and positioned on the rail surfaces 134 and 136 with the adjacent panel body portion 24 in the slot 100 of support member 30. The support members 30 and 32 as is illustrated in FIG. 1, have different lengths so that the panel members are positioned in parallel spaced relation to each other.

With this arrangement, a rigid extensible panel structure is provided that is slidable on the rail surfaces 134 and 136 to extend so that it may be extended to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 or collapsed to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and what is now considered to represent its best embodiment has been illustrated and described. However, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim: 1. In a slidable panel member the combination comprising, a planar panel member body portion having a pair of spaced substantially parallel edge portionsand another edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, a first support member secured to said planar panel member body portion adjacent to one of said pair of spaced parallel edge portions and adjacent to said other edge portion, said first support member extending outwardly from one side of said planar panel member body portion, second support member secured 'to said planar panel member body portion adjacent to the other of said pair of spaced parallel edge portions and adjacent to said other edge portion, said second support member extending outwardly from the other side of said planar panel member body portion in a direction opposite to said first support member, a pair of rail members positioned in spaced parallel relation to each other, and each of said support-members having portions slidably posi tioned on one 'of said rail members to thereby slidably support said planar panel member body portion from said rail members. 2. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes,

longitudinal openings in said panel member body portion adjacent to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, said support members secured in said longitudinal openings adjacent to said planar panel member body portion other edge portion. 3. A slidablepanel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes, v

a protuberance extending laterally from said support member in a direction opposite to the direction said support member extends outwardly from the side of said planar panel member body'portion, said protuberance extending beyond the planar surface of said planar member-body portion and arranged to abut a planar surface of a second planar panel member body portion positioned in parallel relation thereto to maintain said second panel member in spaced parallel relation thereto.

4. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which,

one of said support members has a pair of depending spaced finger portions forming a slot therebetween,

said slot arranged to have a second planar panel member body portion slidably positioned therein adjacent the other edge portion to maintain said other planar panel member body portion in spaced slidable relation to said first named panel member body portion.

5. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes,

Y a pair of boxlike rib members extending in opposite directions from said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, said support members frictionally secured in said boxlike rib portions and abutting said other edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions. 6. A slidable panel member asset forth in claim 5 which includes,

a longitudinal slot in one of said boxlike rib portions, said support member having an outwardly, extending protuberance extending outwardly through said slot into abutting relation with an adjacent planar'panel member body portion.

7. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes,

resilient means secured to the opposite sides of said support members and arranged to abut similar support members on adjacent other planar panel member body portions to maintain said support members in spaced relation to each other,

8. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which,

said support members include depending leg members positioned on said rail members in slidable relation therewith.

9. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 8 in which,

said support members include elongated slotted portions adjacent to said leg members,

said rail members having upturned edge portions extending into said respective elongated slots of said support members t0 rigidly support said planar panel member body portion.

10, A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which,

a pair of boxlike rib members extending in opposite directions from said pair ofspaced parallel edge portions,

said support members frictionally secured in said boxlike rib portions and abutting said other edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions,

a longitudinal slot in one of said boxlike rib portions,

said support member having an outwardly extending protuberance extending outwardly through said slot into abutting relation with an adjacent planar panel member body portion,

one of said support members having a pair of depending spaced finger portions forming a slot therebetween,

said slot arranged to have a second planar panel member body portion slidably positioned therein adjacent the other edge portion to maintain said other planar panel member body portion in spaced slidable relation to said first named panel member body portion,

resilient means secured to the opposite sides of said support members and arranged to abut similar support members on adjacent other planar panel member body portions to maintain said support members in spaced relation to each other,

said support members including depending leg members positioned on said rail members in slidable relation therewith and having elongated slotted portions adjacent to said leg members, and

said rail members having upturned edge portions extending into said respective elongated slots of said support members to rigidly support said planar panel member body portion. 

1. In a slidable panel member the combination comprising, a planar panel member body portion having a pair of spaced substantially parallel edge portions and another edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, a first support member secured to said planar panel member body portion adjacent to one of said pair of spaced parallel edge portions and adjacent to said other edge portion, said first support member extending outwardly from one side of said planar panel member body portion, a second support member secured to said planar panel member body portion adjacent to the other of said pair of spaced parallel edge portions and adjacent to said other edge portion, said second support member extending outwardly from the other side of said planar panel member body portion in a direction opposite to said first support member, a pair of rail members positioned in spaced parallel relation to each other, and each of said support members having portions slidably positioned on one of said rail members to thereby slidably support said planar panel member body portion from said rail members.
 2. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes, longitudinal openings in said panel member body portion adjacent to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, said support members secured in said longitudinal openings adjacent to said planar panel member body portion other edge portion.
 3. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a protuberance extending laterally from said support member in a direction opposite to the direction said support member extends outwardly from the side of said planar panel member body portion, said protuberance extending beyond the planar surface of said planar member body portion and arranged to abut a planar surface of a second planar panel member body portion positioned in parallel relation thereto to maintain said second panel member in spaced parallel relation thereto.
 4. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which, one of said support members has a pair of depending spaced finger portions forming a slot therebetween, said slot arranged to have a second planar panel member body portion slidably positioned therein adjacent the other edge portion to maintain said other planar panel member body portion in spaced slidable relation to said first named panel member body portion.
 5. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes, a pair of boxlike rib members extending in opposite directions from said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, said support members frictionally secured in said boxlike rib portions and abutting said other edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions.
 6. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 5 which includes, a longitudinal slot in one of said boxlike rib portions, said support member having an outwardly extending protuberance extending outwardly through said slot into abutting relation with an adjacent planar panel member body portion.
 7. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 which includes, resilient means secured to the opposite sides of saId support members and arranged to abut similar support members on adjacent other planar panel member body portions to maintain said support members in spaced relation to each other.
 8. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which, said support members include depending leg members positioned on said rail members in slidable relation therewith.
 9. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 8 in which, said support members include elongated slotted portions adjacent to said leg members, said rail members having upturned edge portions extending into said respective elongated slots of said support members to rigidly support said planar panel member body portion.
 10. A slidable panel member as set forth in claim 1 in which, a pair of boxlike rib members extending in opposite directions from said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, said support members frictionally secured in said boxlike rib portions and abutting said other edge portion extending transversely to said pair of spaced parallel edge portions, a longitudinal slot in one of said boxlike rib portions, said support member having an outwardly extending protuberance extending outwardly through said slot into abutting relation with an adjacent planar panel member body portion, one of said support members having a pair of depending spaced finger portions forming a slot therebetween, said slot arranged to have a second planar panel member body portion slidably positioned therein adjacent the other edge portion to maintain said other planar panel member body portion in spaced slidable relation to said first named panel member body portion, resilient means secured to the opposite sides of said support members and arranged to abut similar support members on adjacent other planar panel member body portions to maintain said support members in spaced relation to each other, said support members including depending leg members positioned on said rail members in slidable relation therewith and having elongated slotted portions adjacent to said leg members, and said rail members having upturned edge portions extending into said respective elongated slots of said support members to rigidly support said planar panel member body portion. 